Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Steve Elkins, a civil rights pioneer, an advocate for our state's LGBTQ community, and a decades-long fighter for hope and inclusivity for all Delaware families.

In 1991, Steve co-founded Create a More Positive Rehoboth, more commonly known as CAMP Rehoboth, to counteract anti-LGBTQ discrimination by bringing neighbors together and building bridges of compassion and understanding between people of all backgrounds. The non-profit, which began as a humble newsletter, evolved into a sprawling community center on Baltimore Avenue with numerous community programs, including screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, mental health counseling, and cultural sensitivity training for city and park police. For over 25 years, Steve and the CAMP Rehoboth family helped thousands by breaking down barriers and providing much-needed community support services to Delaware's LGBTQ community.

Alongside his partner of 40 years, Murray Archibald, the pair pressed for marriage equality, supported HIV/AIDs research, and championed the right to live and love freely. On Steve's birthday, July 2, 2009, he took part in history as then-Governor Jack Markell signed Senate Bill 121, which outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation at the CAMP Rehoboth Center, a nod to the far-reaching impact of the center and Steve's life work. Steve and Murray were also an integral part of ushering in a new era of equality for the LGBTQ community as Delaware became the 11th state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2013.

We are heartbroken by the loss of a devoted advocate and unwavering voice for inclusion, love, and respect. He fought an aggressive form of lymphoma with the same bravery he fought for the rights of so many in our great state. Steve will be remembered for his commitment to justice and equality for all, his decades of service and advocacy for Delaware's LGBTQ community, and the joy he brought to the lives of so many. Steve was a positive force for good, and the kind of friend who could put a smile on your face even in the darkest of times. I will remember him for his loving and uplifting spirit and will do my part to ensure his legacy lives on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Morton Kimmel, or Mort to those who knew him. As a lifelong Delawarean, Mort was a great husband, father, grandfather, lawyer and philanthropist. He founded several non-profits and charities and devoted his life to serving others throughout Delaware.

After graduating from law school, he began practicing in the Wilmington area, eventually becoming a founding partner of Kimmel, Carter, Roman, Peltz and O'Neill PA. An attorney by trade, Mort tried more than 100 cases while simultaneously working on the charities that were the center of his life.

After Mort's son, Larry Kimmel, participated in the 1997 Blue-Gold Senior All-Star Games, Mort saw an opportunity to enhance the annual event as a fundraiser for local non-profits and charities to rally community support around the games. Today, because of Mort's work, the Blue-Gold Games are now played at the University of Delaware's Bob Carpenter Center and have become a statewide affair attracting people from all over. Proceeds from the game directly benefit Best Buddies Delaware, a non-profit providing aid to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mort's love of Delaware and philanthropic efforts extended beyond the Blue-Gold Games. He founded the First State Police Foundation, a non- profit organization that funds public safety initiatives with private sector donations. He also led the Kimmel-Spiller Charitable Foundation and served on the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House and Cancer Care Connection. In recognition of his generous spirit and life of service to Delaware, Mort was awarded the Order of the First State by then-Governor Jack Markell in 2017. Fittingly, he was inducted into the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this Year.

It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of our dear friend. Mort's selflessness touched the lives of Delawareans from all backgrounds, including the most vulnerable citizens, and I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities, services and care he provided to so many. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to call Mort my friend, and there is no doubt in my mind that Mort Kimmel's impact will be felt in Delaware for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, today, during Women's History Month, I rise to recognize and call attention to a woman of distinction in my state of Delaware, Drewry Nash Fennell. While she currently serves as the Chief Officer of Strategic Communication and Development for Christiana Care Health System, many in my state know Drew not for any title she has held, but for her role as a trailblazer on any number of important public policy fronts.

Drew is an attorney by trade and applied her skills as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware. During her time at the ACLU, Drew fought for improvements to the child welfare system, the criminal justice system, and LGBT rights. She, along with her equally distinguished wife Lisa, helped spearhead the Equality Delaware campaign, which saw Delaware go from a state which legally permitted discrimination against LGBT citizens, to a state with full marriage equality in a span of less than a decade.

Drew applied her years of experience and extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system as the executive director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council. Drew then took her work from the CJC to the Governor's Office, where she served as Deputy Chief of Staff and eventually Chief of Staff to former Delaware Governor Jack Markell.

Throughout her time in Delaware government, her colleagues came to know her as one of the most effective advocates around. She did it all with a warm smile and a reassuring hand on the shoulder. She endured bigotry and ignorance while maintaining class and composure, all the while, making remarkable progress for the people of Delaware.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great joy to rise today to recognize Drew not only as a constituent, but as a friend and confidant. Her work in Delaware has been truly transformational and I'm confident it is nowhere near complete. Drew will soon be the 2018 Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Woman of Distinction. I can't think of a more deserving recipient of that honor.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend, Mr. Nadler, for yielding and for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Chairman, as a former Delaware Secretary of Labor, I rise today to strongly oppose H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017. This bill on the floor today would roll back the clock on civil rights for people with disabilities.

Twenty-seven years ago, Congress passed the transformative Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities and mandated that they have an equal opportunity to participate in society. Before the ADA, a person with a disability could be barred from a meaningful career, education, and, really, to live a fulfilling life.

Mr. Chairman, some claim that the ADA exposes businesses to exorbitant costs or damage awards, but this is not the norm. It is one of the myths that has perpetuated. According to the Department of Labor, 57 percent of accommodations cost nothing at all, while the rest typically cost only $500.

So once you peel back the myths surrounding the ADA, we are left with one simple question: Why not comply?

The monetary cost is typically minimal in comparison to the value of providing qualified Americans with a job or a shot at the American Dream; or giving an individual with a disability the means to go to the grocery store, pick up their children from childcare, or travel, or work.

That is why these standards are so essential. They ensure real, fair, and equal access for everyone.

People with disabilities simply want to live an independent life, free from discrimination. This bill rolls back that progress.

I will be voting against this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on roll call votes cast on February 13, 2018.

On Roll Call Vote Number 70, on the Lexington VA Health Care System, I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``Yea.''

On Roll Call Vote Number 71, to extend the Generalized System of Preferences and to make technical changes to the competitive need limitations provision of the program, I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``Yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the opportunity to speak at this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, as the former secretary of labor and head of personnel for the State of Delaware, I am here this evening on the floor of the House to lend my voice in support of the thousands of men and women across the country who are dedicated public servants who currently belong to public sector labor unions; who teach our children, pave our roads, protect us, care for our seniors; who don't receive huge salaries; who don't work in palatial offices; and whose very right to organize and collectively bargain is under attack.

At the end of February, the Supreme Court is set to hear a case, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, which is simply another attempt to weaken the rights of public sector employees in the fight for better pay, paid sick leave, and the ability to one day retire with dignity.

Mr. Speaker, the plaintiff in this case seeks to bar the ability for public sector unions from collecting fair share fees. Fair share fees are collected from public sector employees to help their unions negotiate for better wages, benefits, and protections.

It is important to note that no union can be effective at negotiating with employers unless the employees who reap the benefits of these negotiations pay for the collective bargaining--even if they are not members of the union.

The Supreme Court has already ensured that a union's political activities and their collective bargaining activities are separate from their fair share dues. No public sector worker is being asked to contribute funds to causes to which they do not agree. It should be noted that unions go through painstaking detail to ensure that no funds are misused.

When our first responders, teachers, and public sector workers come together and form strong unions, they win benefits, like better working conditions, better wages, healthcare, and retirement security, which also benefit nonunion members.

As our economy shifts and the wealth gap grows, the protective power of unions must be strengthened, not weakened. Without the freedom to come together, working people would not have the power in numbers they need to make our communities and our country more prosperous.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the Justices will see the value, need, and success of public sector collective bargaining and that everyone must pay their fair share.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of trailblazer and Delaware icon, George C. Wright, Jr.

From humble beginnings in Chesapeake City, Maryland, George began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and excelled as an accomplished relay racer. Following the competition of his schooling, George was drafted into the United States Army, where he served in one of the first integrated units.

After transitioning from the armed forces to civilian life, George continued his life of service at Dover Air Force Base in a career that spanned 33 years. His tenure began by offloading trucks in the Aerial Port section of the base and led to his serving as the Chief of Staff for the Civilian Personnel Office's Affirmative Employment Section, the second most senior non-military position at Dover.

George was a dedicated public servant who built bridges and found common ground while serving for 12 years on the Smyrna Town Council. In 1981, he overcame the odds by becoming mayor of Smyrna by twenty votes--making history as the first African American to lead a Delaware municipality. George dutifully served his town for 14 years as mayor and ran unopposed in every re-election race--highlighting the faith his community placed in him George's work in government inspired him to help Delaware's other 57 cities and towns through his role as executive director of the League of Local Governments and as a board member of the National League of Cities.

George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather and was an active member of Bethel AME Church in Smyrna. He will be missed by family members, friends, and neighbors alike for his community leadership and the role model he became for young people across Delaware.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of George, and I want to express my deep gratitude for his service to our state, commitment to bettering the lives of those he served, and for breaking down barriers that allowed me and many others to follow in his footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and mentor, the gentleman from South Carolina, for his kind words and for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, we deal with important issues every day in this House, but there are few issues as meaningful to so many lives as the Children's Health Insurance Program.

At this time the divisions in this House mimic those in our nation.

And on many issues, those divisions can be challenging to bridge.

One of my top priorities as a new Member of this body is to help bridge those divides, instead of widening them.

I hope that my colleagues--both Democrats and Republicans--will tell me if I fall short on that commitment.

One of the few things that does not divide us is the importance of children's healthcare and the CHIP program.

When it was signed into law 20 years ago, this landmark legislation meant so much to me.

First, as a mother of then 9-year-old, Alyssa, and 11-year-old, Alex I deeply understood the fear a parent could feel with a sick child and no insurance.

But also because at that time, I was the Deputy Secretary of Health & Social Services for Delaware.

And I had the honor of helping implement the law and seeing thousands of children who had never had healthcare get the coverage they deserved.

From the 600,000 children across the nation who were the program's first enrollees in 1998 to the nearly 9,000,000 children in 2016.

Kids across this country owe their yearly check-ups, their immunizations, and their doctor's office lollipops to this program.

And in Delaware we owe a big debt to the CHIP program, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Today, 97 percent of Delaware's children obtain medical coverage because of these programs.

In 1997, the legislation passed in a Republican Congress with a Democratic President, highlighting how this truly was not a partisan issue.

That's why it's disappointing to me that we aren't moving forward on renewing the Children's Health Insurance Program with that same reasonable, bipartisan approach.

The bill before us today forces us to choose between healthcare for children and healthcare for other vulnerable populations.

Choosing between prevention and healthcare for kids is unacceptable-- particularly in a nation as great as ours.

I have spoken to many of you over the past 10 months.

I know that the people I have met in both political parties know--in their hearts--that we should not play games with the healthcare of our children.

I know that it may seem hard to oppose one's party leadership. But today I ask you to consider whether this is one of those rare times . . . those rare subjects . . .

Where we can come together to stand up for the those in need . . .

And to stand up for a clean reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program.

That's what our motion to recommit does.

Let's step back and consider whether we can use our common desire to deliver healthcare to our children, as a moment to surprise the public . . .

To set a new tone for how we deal with one another . . . and how we address issues on which both of our parties fundamentally agree.

Please join with me on this vote to put our children first--they're watching.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and fellow member of the Agriculture Committee, Mr. McGovern, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H. Con. Res. 71, the Republicans' proposed budget. This plan would make extreme and irresponsible cuts to domestic spending programs and weaken our Nation's social safety net.

We should be proposing a budget that provides for real economic growth. We should be strengthening programs that help young Americans access higher education, increasing infrastructure funding, and investing in our Nation's roads and bridges. We should be focused on vision, aspiration, a budget reflective of our great Nation and the great things we can do.

This budget instructs my friend from Massachusetts and my committee to find $10 billion in cuts to agriculture programs over the next 10 years. This decrease will affect our ability to fund essential USDA programs across our country in every congressional district. These are programs that farmers, schoolchildren, families, communities, and Americans rely on.

Where will we be forced to take the money from? Rural development? conservation programs? our already insufficient nutrition programs? resources for schools?

At a time when spending on fighting wildfires has surpassed previous records, will we cut that budget?

This budget and accompanying tax plan does not put us on strong fiscal

ground either. Many people don't realize the significance of the agricultural industry in Delaware. Our State is filled with family farmers that produce specialty crops, commodities. Delaware has the highest number of chickens per capita--300--of any State in the Nation. Many of these farmers rely on the very programs that we will be forced to undermine if these cuts are realized, and that hurts all Americans.

Access to food is not just a farmer's issue; it will affect rural communities, urban communities, and all of us. This is not a responsible way to govern.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position for the record on roll call votes cast on September 25, 2017.

On Roll Call Vote Number 530, on consideration of H.R. 3823 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``No.''

On Roll Call Vote Number 531, on consideration of H.R. 2061 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``Yea.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the remarkable life of Delaware icon, Thomas H. Draper. Tom grew up in Milton, Delaware and spent his summers at the Delaware beaches. Tom went on to college at Brown University where he excelled, not only by earning his spot as captain of the 1964 Brown Bears lacrosse team, but also by being named an All-American before eventually earning admission to the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tom returned to his home state of Delaware after college, moving back to Sussex County. He quickly purchased radio station WTHD and began his career in broadcasting. Tom would go on to purchase WBOC-TV in 1980 and helped build it into a broadcasting mainstay in ``The First State.''

To know Tom, however, was to know that he was so much more than his career, impressive as it was. Tom loved being outdoors and

spending time with his family. His four children and nine grandchildren were the light of his life, and what a life he led. Thomas Henry Draper passed away earlier this week at the age of 76, just a few weeks after he celebrated 50 years in broadcasting. We know that our little state had a place in Tom's big heart and we know that the legacy that Tom leaves behind will make a mark on Delaware for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, straight from the train, I had the opportunity to join fellow Delawarians for a rally in support of DREAMers in our State and across our country. These are young adults who were brought to America as children. This is the only home they know.

I have had the opportunity to hear from some of the 75 DREAMers at Delaware State University. Every single one of them is excelling. They are part of our future.

Ending DACA will cost Delaware's GDP $88 million, and create a loss of nearly $460 billion for our country.

America thrives on our diversity. We have a moral obligation to stand up for these young Americans, and I will continue to join my colleagues in fighting to reinstate DACA.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This important legislation would allow more Americans to enter the workforce with the skills needed to compete for high-skilled, in-demand jobs.

Delaware employers tell me they need a skilled workforce. CTE support is a vital tool in addressing the skills gap in many industries in our country. Our support ensures that all students have access to high- quality CTE programs. It allows States to strengthen these programs, providing hands-on learning opportunities that lead to higher graduation rates as well as better postsecondary and career options.

In 2012, Delaware started Pathways to Prosperity to give high school students an industry-recognized certificate, college credits, and relevant work experience, all before they graduate. In 2 years, it has grown from 30 students to over 6,000 students, who are now better suited to determine their next steps and build a career.

I thank Mr. Thompson and also Mr. Krishnamoorthi for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1842, 1862 and 1761. While I support these bills, I do not support the mandatory minimum requirements in them.

As a mother I constantly worry about the wellbeing of my children, and as a legislator I am concerned about the wellbeing of all our nation's children. These bills are very well meaning and I thank my colleagues for all the hard work done on them. No one here wants to see a child sexually assaulted or abused. Violence against children can have long lasting physical and emotional effects on a child. These bills go a long way and making sure those who commit these heinous crimes are punished.

While these bills address important issues and help to further protect our children, the mandatory minimum provisions are concerning to me. These bills would expand the number of individuals subject to mandatory minimums. Mandatory minimums are an unfair one size fits all solution that often do not take into account circumstances of a crime. Drug related mandatory minimums have led to increased prison population. Many of these people were given harsh and overly punitive prison time. We should not be looking for ways to increase the use of mandatory minimums, but ways to return discretion to judges.

Congress should not be legislating sentencing. This discretion should be left in the hands of judges. Judges are able to adapt sentences to fit the individual circumstances of particular crimes and offenders. My hope is that we are able to work together to protect our nation's children and give our judges the judicial discretion they need when it comes to sentencing those convicted in a court of law.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Judicial Conference.

Judicial Conference of the

United States,

Washington, DC, April 3, 2017.

Hon. Paul D. Ryan,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Speaker: On behalf of the Judicial Conference of

the United States, I write to transmit the Conference's

bankruptcy judgeship recommendations and corresponding draft

legislation for the 115th Congress. The Conference recommends

to Congress that it authorize four additional permanent

bankruptcy judgeships and convert 14 existing temporary

bankruptcy judgeships to permanent status, as set forth in

the enclosures.

The preservation of current on-board resources in these

courts is of great concern to the Conference. All 14

temporary bankruptcy judgeships included in the Conference's

recommendation have a lapse date of May 25, 2017. These

bankruptcy courts would face a serious and, in many cases,

debilitating workload crisis if these temporary judgeships

were to expire. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of

Delaware, for example, would be crippled as five of their six

authorized judgeships are temporary, all with the risk of

expiring in 2017.

Although bankruptcy filings nationwide have been declining

in recent years, the districts included in these

recommendations generally have experienced an increase in

filings resulting in stress on existing judicial resources.

Indeed, since the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse

Prevention and Consumer Protection Act in 2005, Pub. L. No.

109-8--the last time additional judgeship resources were

authorized for most of the courts included in the

Conference's recommendation--these districts have seen

weighted filings increase by more than 55 percent.

Section 152(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, requires

the Judicial Conference to recommend to Congress the

authorization of additional bankruptcy judgeships. Following

a formal survey of all judicial circuits, the Conference

determines where additional resources are needed based upon

the circuit councils' requests and established criteria

including each court's workload and case filing statistics,

geographic needs, and pertinent additional factors. As part

of this survey, the Judicial Conference also considers

requests from the circuits to convert or extend existing

temporary bankruptcy judgeships based upon the district's

needs for stable judicial resources.

The Judicial Conference respectfully requests that you give

your full consideration to the Judiciary's resource needs as

identified in this proposed legislation. Additional caseload

information concerning these recommendations is available

upon request.

If we may be of further assistance to you in this or any

other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or the

Office of Legislative Affairs, Administrative Office of the

U.S. Courts.

Sincerely,

James C. Duff,

Secretary.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Conyers and my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee for their work on this important legislation and for bringing this bill to the floor today.

An efficient bankruptcy system is important to the smooth functioning of our economy. The preservation and addition of these positions will add needed certainty to our legal system.

As the Judicial Conference of the United States highlighted in their report to Congress, these resources will benefit individuals and corporations, and are necessary to keep this system working. I am proud of the work that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware does to protect jobs, creditors, and economic engines in our communities across the country.

This legislation is a perfect example of Congress hearing the needs of independent experts in the judiciary and acting in a bipartisan, collaborative manner to address a looming problem.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on other pressing problems for our constituents in such collaborative ways. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2017.